Starkville motorcycle group hosting fundraiser for Columbus teen

A fundraiser for Columbus resident Danielle "Danie" Nowland is scheduled for Saturday in Starkville on the day she turns 18.

Nowland, the daughter of Donna and Mike Nowland, recently underwent a double-lung transplant at University of Alabama-Birmingham (UAB) Medical Center.

"She received it on Oct.12, and she is doing phenomenally well. She has been going to the mall and spending time with her friends," said Donna Nowland.

Nowland said the Starkville Choppers, a local motorcycle enthusiast club, will be selling barbecue plates Saturday.

"They are going to set up on Highway 12 between Montgomery and Jackson Streets. They will also raffle tickets for two tattoos at Dragon''s Ink and two haircuts at Legends," she said.

Robby Monroe, also known as "Lowrider," is a member of the Starkville Choppers. He set they will accept donations of $5 for barbecue sandwiches, and $7 for barbecue plates.

Monroe said Mike Nowland heard about the Starkville Choppers through the Salvation Army in Starkville.

"He got in touch with us, and told us about his daughter. We like to help people any way we can," he said.

Nowland said the funds will go to assist the family with living expenses and bills. She said since March, the family has been staying at the UAB Townhouse.

"We are staying on the seventh floor. The townhouse is only 15 minutes away from the hospital. The floor is sponsored by the Birmingham Baptist Association, and is called ''the neighborhood,'' because everyone who stays there is so close," she said.

Nowland said Danielle suffers from cystic fibrosis, and was first diagnosed with the illness in 1993.

Nowland said she and her sister, Teresa Barksdale, have also put out a cookbook titled "Recipes for Life." She said her family has always loved to cook, and the cookbook is on sale for $12.

"These are favorite recipes of good old-fashioned country cooking handed down from family and friends," she said.

An account has also been set up at BankFirst in Danielle''s name for people to make donations.

Since the operation, Nowland said Danielle has been in good spirits as she continues her recovery. She describes her daughter as a fighter.

"She has been tough through it all. She has never questioned why this happened to her," she said.

Danielle is home schooled, and enjoys photography.

To find out more about the fundraiser, contact Teresa Barskdale at 662-549-8289 or Monroe at 662-418 6726.